House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and his wife, Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, on Monday, June 17 extended a P150,000 cash assistance for each of the 21 Filipino seafarers who were rescued from the MV Tutor hit in the Houthi missile and drone attacks in the Red Sea.
Tingog Partylist Rep. Jude Acidre said the cash assistance, totaling P3.15-million is sourced from the personal calamity funds of the Romualdez couple.
“As instructed by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., Speaker Romualdez and his wife, Rep. Yedda Romualdez is working hard to provide relief and support to our seafarers,” Acidre said who personally extended the assistance to the seafarers upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal III.
The House leader expressed his relief and gratitude for the safe return of the seafarers, citing the government's swift action following the attack.
“We are deeply relieved that our brave seafarers are coming home safe. This assistance is a token of our gratitude for their courage and resilience during this harrowing ordeal,” the House Speaker said.
Mrs. Romualdez also underscored the need to support and protect Filipino workers abroad, who are the backbone of the nation’s global workforce.
“Our seafarers are our modern-day heroes, and it is our duty to ensure their welfare,” Yedda Romualdez said.
“This cash assistance from our personal funds aims to help them and their families as they transition back home. We stand by them and are committed to providing the necessary support,” she said.
Meanwhile, House Deputy Secretary General Sofonias “Ponyong” P. Gabonada, Jr. said the Office of the Speaker is also working to provide additional government assistance to the families of the rescued seafarers.
Gabonada said they are working out a Livelihood Assistance in the form of the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) for the seafarers.
Also included in the aid package being worked out for the rescued seafarers are financial assistance of P10,000 per qualified immediate family member under the AKAP program of the DSWD, and a 20-day emergency employment under the TUPAD program of DOLE.
Furthermore, qualified family members may also receive educational assistance under the Tulong Dunong Scholarship program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
The 21 Filipino seafarers were rescued Friday evening upon the order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. after the MV Tutor was attacked by the Houthi rebel group while sailing along the Red Sea last Wednesday.